Salivary Vitamin D and Glutathione Peroxidase as Biomarkers for Caries in Children

Saliva is rich in antioxidants, a natural defense system. Vitamin D, a steroid hormone and an antioxidant, is required in optimal quantities to maintain normal mineralization of teeth. The enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is an antioxidant having an essential role in neutralizing free radicals. An imbalance in such salivary antioxidants causes an increase in reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative stress that affects intracellular signals and promotes the growth of cariogenic bacteria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the levels of salivary Vitamin 25(OH)D and GPx in children with and without caries.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 120 children, between 3 and 10 years of age.

Salivary samples of children with and without caries were collected to assess the levels of Vitamin D and GPx through commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Descriptive mean, along with Mann-Whitney test.

Salivary Vitamin 25(OH) D levels were significantly higher in caries-free children, showing a strong inverse correlation with caries risk. This suggests a protective role of Vitamin D. Although the mean GPx levels were higher in children with caries, the difference was not statistically significant, indicating a possible oxidative stress response but limited diagnostic value. Overall, Vitamin D showed a more consistent association with caries status than GPx.

This study focused on individual antioxidant biomarkers, thus allowing applications for tailor made preventive strategies for early intervention of caries progression in pediatric population.